Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-04-09

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She's weathered out more'n one
storm along o. me. and guess she
won't faze. But come in the house
now. and get some supper"
The two men walked 10 the house,
and going inside, found Mabel standing
by the table waiting for them. A very
good meal was spread out, and bong
hungry they did full justice to it. After
supper Sam said to the doctor. as they
stood on the porch together. the girl
being inside the house:
Look yer. Doc. I've bin thinking
about what you said, aud I'm going to
take some animals up to the little cor
raj tonight"
THE little corral?r
YES. You see that bluff" pointing
as he spoke to one about three hundred
feet high. which was within a hundred
feet of the house. ION top of that there
is corral, and I've got way of get
ting there with no man seeing me. But
just now there's no animals up there,
and guess I'll take some round. You
stay here till come back.
The old man took three mules from
the corral, and. riding one of them,
went up the canon. Mabel and the
doctor sat upon the porch and called TO
eacn other. as the short twilight of the
south rapidly faded into the dark gray
of night. They had sat about an hour,
when suddenly old Quarlls appeared
coming out of the house.
Say, you folks. it's about o'clock,
and reckon Wen go to bed. Come
along o ME. Doc, and I'll show you
where you're to sleep"
Bidding Mabel good night, the doc
tor did as he was told. and was soon in
rs sound a sleep as he ever was in his
life, stretched out on the floor.
He never knew how long he slept.
When he walked up there was old
Quarlls kneeling beside him on tbs
floor and shaking him. AS he opened
his ewes. the old man said to him:
Wake up, Doe. Tn Reds have
come, after all. :"
In an instant, Blaisdell was on his
feet, and Quarlls continued:
II hearn' the dogs barkin' some time
ago an got up. Then I peeped out,
and see by the moonlight the Iniinns
stampeedn' the stock outer the corral.
Then leone for you.
The two men went to the door and
peeped out through the holes cut for
the rifles. In few minutes they saw
half dozen Indians separate from the
main band aud come towards the house.
Old Quarlls raised his rifle, and putting
it through one of the holes, fired. Two
Indians dropped, and the rest. with
yell. retreated.
Doctor, you must take that end of
the house and I'll take this" Mabel"
continued the old man to the girl. who
had just entered the room, you get
the extra rifles out. and give Doc. q lot
of cartridges. Bring some to me. It's
an Injun raid"
The girl, without word, left the
room, and the doctor took up his posi-
ton at the window on the right, while
Old Sam went into the next room on
the left.
As DR.. Blaisdell stood there waiting
for sight OF the Indians, and thought
of thG peril they were all in, he made
one of the most important discoveries
of his life. He found that he loved the
girl he was there to protect-a thing he
had not known OF before. He was con-
scious of a great wave of tenderness
rushing over his heart, and with it a
savage feeling that he would die fight
ing before she should fall into the
hands of the sayages.
When NJ abel came into the room,
carving the rifle and ammunition, she
said to him.
us there very much danger?"
Il hope not, Mabel. "
Il knew a woman once-oh! prom
Use me that YOU will kill me before they
capture me?'' and she clasped her hands
GROUND his arm
The doctor put his arm around her
waist and drew her to him.
Mabel, nv darling. l promise. l
promise because 1 love you-love you
with all my heart. "
The girls head sank on his shoulder
as she looked shyly down.
Sweet one. do YOU love ME? Look
at me one moment, Mabel"
The girl looked up. and said:
Pm not frightened now, Will"
Bending down to her, viii Blaisdell
kissed Mabel Quarlls in a solemn way
that was almost like blessing; then ne
held her tight for a few seconds. 1t
was their betrothal.
II must go. Will" she said looking
at him quietly.
With one more kiss he released her.
and turned to his post of observation.
At that moment he saw, shooting out
of the grsase-wood bushes, an arrow,
having upon ID lighted band OF dry
bunch-grass. A moment afterwards
yell from the Indians showed that it
had stuck in the matched roof. As the